HNA Shuts Down Cruise Operation in China

HNA has shut down its one-ship cruise operation with the Henna in China. Just three years after starting up with the 1986-built Henna, purchased from P&O Australia, HNA will cease operating cruises.

The company said it was a decision by shareholders for a “business change,” while other sources indicated it was a money-losing operation that faced stiff price competition in 2015 with the arrival of more (and newer) ships in the market.

Earlier this year, the company completed a long big-budget drydock in Shanghai, signaling a significant investment in its hardware.

In previous interviews with Cruise Industry News, HNA executives made it clear they planned on growing the cruise side of their tourism business and had plans to buy more ships.

Additionally, HNA said that going forward, they will still be involved in cruise, which could see them having more of a sales/agent role.